Collapsible ski pole

ABSTRACT

A collapsible ski pole comprising a plurality of interconnected tubular members held together by a flexible cord under tension, and means for releasing the tension on the cord to permit the tubular sections to be disconnected one from the other and arranged in a compact bundle.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,730,544 Hyman 1 51 May 1, 1973 54]COLLAPSIBLE SKI POLE 2,275,330 3 1942 Tveten ..2s 11.37 B 933,285 9/1909Blair ..135/45 R x [75 Invent Joseph Hyman Newton Center 2,379,5777/1945 Harsted ..135/45 R Mass- 3,635,233 1/1972 Robertson ..135/ P0[73] Asslgneez Hycor, lnc., Woburn, Mass. FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS [22] Wed: 1971 1,301,413 7/1962 France ..135/1s PO 2 App]No 130 161 358,032 4/1938 Italy ..l/45 R 287/103 [51] Int. Cl .A63c11/22 [58] Field of Search ..280/11.37 R, 11.37 B, 280/11.37 L, 11.37 F;135/15 P0, R;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,705,015 3/1955 Langlais..l35/15 PQ X 619,235 2/1899 Schwarting ..l35/6O X U.S. Cl. ..2 /l1.37L, /15 PC 135/45 R,

Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia Assistant Examiner-Leslie J. Pape'rnerAtt0rney-Schiller & Pandiscio [5 7] ABSTRACT 12 Claims, 7 DrawingFigures PATENTEDHAY H SHEET 1 0F 2 'INVENTOR.

JOSEPH HYMAN 346%! ATTORNEYS n61 .f A 7 on 9 Q. lfl/l i om m wm M 3 K aLIE L b N mm a a @I g PATENTED MAY 1 3 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH H YMAN 1 pamfifuziu AT TORNEYS 1 COLLAPSIBLE SKI POLE Thisinvention relates to collapsible rod structures and more particularly toa novel ski pole that has a sectional structure and is collapsible toform a compact portable bundle.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedsectional ski pole.

A further object is to provide a novel ski pole made up of a pluralityof interlocking tubular sections which are tethered by a flexible cableor cord disposed so as to permit them to be disengaged and folded into acompact bundle.

Still another object is to provide a ski pole which comprises aplurality of members with tubular ends arranged so as to interlock intelescoping fashion and provide sufficient surface-to-surface contact toform a rigid structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible ski polestructure that is relatively simple, can be made at modest cost, and canbe collapsed with a minimum of effort to form a compact bundle that iseasy to carry and store.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by a preferred embodimentof the invention which consists of a plurality of tubular members thatare strung or tethered together by a flexible cable. One member formsthe bottom section of the ski pole andincludes a basket member. Anothermember forms the top section of the ski pole and includes a grip with awrist strap. One end of the cable is attached to the bottom end memberand the other end is attached to a locking slide mounted on the top endmember. The locking slide is movable between two limit positions. Whenthe slide is in one limit position, the cable has sufficient slack topermit the three members to be disengaged from one I another and to befolded into a compact bundle. When the slide is in its other limitposition, the cable is drawn taut and thereby causes the three membersto be held in interlocking relation with one another. The slide isattached to the top member of the pole in such a manner that when it isplaced in its second limit position, the tension on the cable will causethe slide to be locked to the top member so that it cannot (except whenmanually released by the user) shift to its other limit position.

Other features and many of the attendant advantages of the invention aredescribed or rendered obvious by the following detailed descriptionwhich is to be considered together with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. I is an elevational view ofa ski pole constituting a preferredembodiment ofthc invention;

FIG. 2 is an exterior view on an enlarged scale of a portion ofthe topsection of the ski pole;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, ofthe bottomsection of the ski pole;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, of theintennediate or middle section of the ski pole;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 ofa modification of the invention;and

FIG. 7 illustrates the ski pole of FIG. 1 in folded condition.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the illustrated ski pole comprisesthree members, 2A, 2B, and 2C, and a flexible nonstretchable cord 4.Preferably the cord 4 is a metal cable.

The bottom member 2A is tubular rod and is tapered so as to have asmaller diameter at its bottom end than at its top end. Mounted in thebottom end of the bottom section 2A is a solid plug 6 which is taperedto a point. The upper end of the ferrule 6 has a reduced diametersection 8 which is force-fitted in the bottom end of the member 2A. Theupper end of member 2A terminates in tapered section 10 and a reduceddiameter cylindrical section 12. Mounted within member 2A at its upperend is a plug 14 in which is secured an eyebolt 16. The tapered section10 and cylindrical section 12 are formed by swaging after plug 14 isinserted in place. Preferably plug 14 is force-fitted in place. One endof the cord 4 is secured to the eye-bolt 16. Preferably this is achievedby passing the cord through the head of eyebolt l6 and clamping its endto itself by means of a surrounding metal ferrule 18 which is swagedinto tight engagement therewith.

Completing the member 2A is a standard ski pole basket 20 which may besecured in place in any one of a variety of ways known to person skilledin the art. By way of example the basket may include a sleeve 22 thatfits over member 2A and is captivated between two collars 24 that artforce-fitted in place.

The intermediate member 28 also is a tubular rod. As seen best in FIG.5, the member 28 has a constant diameter throughout its length except atits ends. The lower end of the intermediate member 2B has a flaredsection 26 tenninating in a constant diameter section 28. The flaredsection 26 is sized so as to accommodate and make a snug fit with thetapered section l0-of the upper end of member 2A, while its cylindricalsection 28 has an, i.d., just large enough to fit over the largestdiameter portion of member 2A (i.e., that portion of member 2A which isimmediately contiguous with its tapered section 10). Preferably also,the, i.d., of the main constant diameter section of member 28 is justlarge enough to snugly accept the cylindrical section 12 of member 2A.The upper end of member 28 terminates in a decreasing diameter taperedsection 30 and a constant diameter or cylindrical section 32.

The top member 2C is a tubular rod having a constant diameter throughoutits length except at its bottom end which is formed with a flaredsection 34 and a cylindrical section 36. Flared section 34 is sized sothat it can slip over and make a snug fit with the tapered section 30 ofmember 28, while its cylindrical section 36 has an, i.d., which permitsit to slip over and make a snug fit with that portion of the constantdiameter main section of member 23 immediately contiguous with taperedsection 30. Preferably also the, i.d., of the main section of member 2Cis just large enough'to accept the cylindrical section 32 of member 23.

The top member 2C is provided at its upper end with a handle or grip 38carrying a wrist or safety strap 40. The grip 38 is a staple item ofcommerce and is of the type generally used on ski poles. Grip 38 isslipped over the end of the member 2C and makes a tight fit therewith sothat it cannot be easily pulled off. If desired, an adhesive may be usedto secure grip 38 to the member 2C. The member 2C also is provided withtwo diametrically opposed cam slots indicated generally by the numeral42. The two cam slots are identical, each comprising a relatively longaxiallygextending portion 44 and a relatively short circurn; ferentiallyextending portion 46 located at the upper end of portion 44. The latterportions of the cam slots extend at an angle of approximately 30 to theaxially extending portion 44. Additionally the angular portion of eachcam slot terminates in a re-entry portion which provides a shoulder 48.Mounted on the section 2C is a locking slide in the form of a sleeve 50.Preferably the exterior surface of the sleeve 50 is coined or knurled asshown at 52 to facilitate gripping the sleeve to move it with respect tothe tubular section 2C. Attached to the sleeve 50 is a roll pin 56. Theroll pin is anchored in two diametrically opposed holes formed in thesleeve and extends through the two camming slots 42. The roll pinextends diametrically through a hollow plug 58 which is disposed withinmember 2C. Plug 58 is sized so as to slide freely within the tubularsection 2C. The cord 4 extends through the intermediate member 28 intomember 2C where its upper end extends through the hollow plug 58 and issecured to roll pin 56. Although not shown, it is to be understood thatcord 4 is looped around roll pin and secured to itself by a clampingmember similar to sleeve 18.

The cam slots 42 determine two limit positions for the locking slide 50.The slide is movable from a first position in which the roll pin 56engages the lower ends of the camming slots to a second limit positionwhere the roll pin is situated in the re-entry portion of the cam slotsin engagement with the shoulders 48. The length of the cord is such thatwhen the slide 50 is in its second limit position, i.e., when the rollpin 56 engages the shoulders 48 of the re-entry portions of the camslots, the cord is under tension sufficient to hold the three members2A, 2B, and 2C together in the telescoping interlocking relationshipshown in FIG. 1, whereby the three members form a rigid elongate pole.On the other hand, when the sleeve 50 is moved to its other limitposition where the roll pin engages the bottom ends of the two camslots, there is sufficient slack in the cord to allow the three tubularmembers to be separated one from the other and the whole assembly to befolded into a compact bundle as in FIG. 7. The members may be maintainedin a compact bundle by insertion into a suitable sheath such as aplastic bag or sleeve, or by means of a rubber band. Assuming that thepole is in collapsed position, when the user wishes to erect the pole,he removes the bundle from its sheath, unfolds the bundle, and pulls theslide 50 toward the grip 38 to draw up the slack in the cord andinterlock the members 2A, 2B, and 2C. As the slide is moved toward thegrip, the roll pin 56 moves along the two slots 42. When the roll pinreaches the angular portions 46 of the two slots, the user twists theslide so as to cause the roll pin to move into the re-entry portions ofthe cam slots. At this pointthe tension on the cord causes roll pin 56to bear against the shoulders 48, with the result that the sleeve islocked against movement back to its original limit position by the cordtension.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the invention. In this case themodification consists of varying the configuration of the interlockingends of the three sections. Essentially, in this modification, the upperend of the inciently flexible to allow the ski tennediate member 28 isprovided with a simple taper while its bottom end is provided with asimple flair 62. Although not shown, corresponding tapers and flairs areprovided on the upper end of member 2A and the bottom end of member 2C.This modified end configuration offers the advantage that the sectionsare more easily engaged with eachother when the cord is drawn taut andare easier to fabricate. On the other hand, the total amount ofsurface-to-surface contact is less. However, sufficientsurface-to-surface contact is achieved to assure that the pole will berigid when the cord is drawn taut.

It is to be appreciated that the several tubular members 2A, 2B, and 2Cmay be made up of metal such as aluminum or steel but also may be madeof a suitable high strength plastic material. The tip member 6 may bemade of metal or plastic. Similarly, the handle or grip 20 may be madeof rubber or plastic. The slide 50 may be made of plastic or metal butmetal is preferred. As noted above, the cord is preferably a metal cablesuch as a steel or aluminum cable. However, the cord may be made ofnylon or other suitable material. If a metal cable is used, it ispreferred to encase the cord in a flexible abrasion-resistant sheath asshown at 64 in FIGS. 4 and 7. By way of example, the sheath may be madeof rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene or other suitable material. Theother essential requirement is that the plastic be resistant to abrasionand be suffipole to be collapsed and folded.

The two plugs 14 and 58 may be made of metal,

wood, plastic, or other suitable material. It is to be noted also thatthe plug 58 may be omitted. Use of plug 58 is preferred since it has theeffect of maintaining the cord centered at the point at which it isattached to the roll pin. In this connection it is to be noted that cord4 may be attached to member 2A and slide 50 by other suitable means.Thus, for example it is possible for the roll pin to have a large enoughdiameter within the member 2C to permit it to be drilled with a holelarge enough to allow the cord to pass through and be anchored by tieinga knot in the cord. Similarly the plug 14 may be replaced by a roll pinanchored in holes in the bottom member 2A and the bottom end of the cordsecured to that roll pin in a manner similar to that used to secure thecord to roll pin 56.

The invention just described offers a number of advantages. For onething, the construction is simple and easy to make. Secondly, the skipole may be made of a variety of materials. A third advantage is thatwhen the cord is drawn tight, the ski pole is as strong as aconventional ski pole. A fourth advantage is that it can be separatedand folded into a compact bundle that can be easily stored and carried.A further advantage of the invention is that it is possible to makemulticolored ski poles by making the members 2A, 2B, and 2C in differentcolors.

It is to be noted also that although the illustrated embodiment is a skipole, the invention is also applicable to the construction of walkingsticks, radio antennaes, or similar rod or pole-like structures.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the specific constructionshown in the drawings. Thus it is contemplated that the ski pole maycomprise only two sections or more than three sections. However, threesections has been found to be well suited to provided ski poles ofsuitable lengths. In this connection it is to be noted that differentlength poles can be made using the same length sections 2A and 2C butusing different length sections 28.

Further, although it has been determined to be best from the standpointof cost and ease of construction for the sections 2A, 2B, and 2C to havea circular crosssection, it also is possible to use tubular membershaving a different, e.g., a square cross-section. It also is recognizedthat the main portions of the members 23 and 2C may have a slight taperinstead of having a constant diameter.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible rod comprising a plurality of tubular rod sectionsincluding first and second end rod sections, said tubular sections beingassembled end to end with each section in telescopic interfittingengagement with an adjacent section, a locking slide mounted on andexterior of said first end rod sections, means connecting said slide andsaid first end section for limiting axial movement of said sliderelative to said first end section between first and second axiallyspaced limit positions, a flexible cord for tethering said sections,

said cord being disposed within said tubular sections,

means connecting one end of said cord to said second end rod section,means connecting the opposite end of said cord to said slide, said slidebeing in said first limit position and said cord being under tension soas to hold said sections in said end to end assembled relation, saidsecond limit position being spaced from said first limit position by anamount such that when said slide is moved to said second limit positionsaid cord will become slack enough to permit said sections to bedisengaged from one another and folded into a bundle.

2v A rod according to claim 1 wherein said first end section is providedwith a handle and said second end section terminates in a point.

3. A rod according to claim 2 wherein said slide is a sleeve surroundingsaid first end section and said means connecting said slide and saidfirst end section comprises a cam on said sleeve and a cam slot in saidfirst end section, said cam being disposed in said slot, said slothaving a first portion extending generally lengthwise of said first endsection and a second portion extending generally circumferentially ofsaid first end section, said second portion being disposed so as todetermine said first limit position and being shaped so as to opposemovement of said cam and said slide relative to said first end sectionso long as said cord is under tension.

4. A rod according to claim 3 wherein the said first portion of saidslot extends from said second portion toward said second end section.

5. A rod according to claim 4 wherein said connecting means includes asecond like cam slot in said first end section, said cam slots beingdisplaced 180 from one another with respect to the axis of said firstend section, and further wherein a second cam is disposed in said secondcam slot.

6. A rod according to claim 5 wherein said sleeve is tubular and has adiametrically extending pin affixed thereto, said cams comprisingportions of said pin.

7. A rod according to claim 6 wherein said cord is attached to saidslide by way of said pin.

8. A folding ski pole comprising first and second end rod sections eachhaving a tubular end and at least one intermediate rod section havingtubular ends, said tubular ends being shaped so that said rod sectionsmay be assembled end-to-end in interfitting telescopic relation with oneanother, a handle with a strap affixed to said first end rod section atthe end opposite the tubular end thereof, said second end rod sectionterminating in a pointed head at the end opposite to the tubular endthereof and also having a basket affixed thereto, a flexible cord fortethering said rod sections, one end of said cord being anchored withinsaid second end rod section and extending lengthwise through said atleast one intermediate rod section, means carried by said first endsection and connected to the other end of said cord for taking up slackin said cord to draw all of said rod sections together in end-to-endassembled relation, said means comprising an operating member mountedexterior of and slidably surrounding said first end rod section, saidmember being slidable axially and circumferentially relative to saidfirst end rod section, means connecting the other end of said cord tosaid operating member, and means coupling said operating member and saidfirst end rod section for limiting movement of said operating memberbetween a first limit position in which said cord is slack and said rodsections are separable and foldable into a bundle and a second limitposition in which said cord is placed under tension sufficient to holdsaid rod sections in said end-to-end assembled relation.

9. A folding skipole according to claim 8 wherein said coupling means isadapted to releasably lock said operating member in said second limitposition under the influence of the tension of said cord.

10. A folding ski pole according to claim 8 wherein said coupling meanscomprises a cam on said operating member and a cam track on said firstend rod section, said cam disposed so as to ride along said track andsaid track shaped so as to determine said first and second limitpositions.

11. A collapsible rod comprising a plurality of tubular rod sectionsincluding first and second end rod sections, said first end sectionbeing provided with a handle and said second end section terminating ina point, said tubular sections being assembled end to end with eachsection in telescopic interfitting engagement with an adjacent section,a locking tubular slide surrounding said first end rod section, meansconnecting said slide and said first end section for limiting axialmovement of said slide relative to said first end section between firstand second axially spaced limit positions, said connecting meanscomprising a pin affixed to and extending across'the interior of saidtubular slide and first and second slots in said first end section, saidpin also being disposed in said first and second slots, a flexible cordfor tethering said sections, said cord extending along and within saidtubular sections and having one end thereof connected to said second endsection and the opposite end thereof connected to said slide, said slotsbeing displaced from one another with respect to the axis of said firstend section, each of said slots having a first portion extendinggenerally lengthwise of said first end section and a second portionextending generally circumferentially of said first end section, saidsecond portions of said slots being disposed so as tion being spacedfrom said first limit position by an amount such that when said slide ismoved to said second limit position said cord will become slack enoughto permit said sections to be disengaged from one another and foldedinto a bundle.

12. A rod according to'claim 11 wherein said cord is attached to saidslide by way of said pin.

1. A collapsible rod comprising a plurality of tubular rod sectionsincluding first and second end rod sections, said tubular sections beingassembled end to end with each section in telescopic interfittingengagement with an adjacent section, a locking slide mounted on andexterior of said first end rod sections, means connecting said slide andsaid first end section for limiting axial movement of said sliderelative to said first end section between first and second axiallyspaced limit positions, a flexible cord for tethering said sections,said cord being disposed within said tubular sections, means connectingone end of said cord to said second end rod section, means connectingthe opposite end of said cord to said slide, said slide being in saidfirst limit position and said cord beinG under tension so as to holdsaid sections in said end to end assembled relation, said second limitposition being spaced from said first limit position by an amount suchthat when said slide is moved to said second limit position said cordwill become slack enough to permit said sections to be disengaged fromone another and folded into a bundle.
 2. A rod according to claim 1wherein said first end section is provided with a handle and said secondend section terminates in a point.
 3. A rod according to claim 2 whereinsaid slide is a sleeve surrounding said first end section and said meansconnecting said slide and said first end section comprises a cam on saidsleeve and a cam slot in said first end section, said cam being disposedin said slot, said slot having a first portion extending generallylengthwise of said first end section and a second portion extendinggenerally circumferentially of said first end section, said secondportion being disposed so as to determine said first limit position andbeing shaped so as to oppose movement of said cam and said sliderelative to said first end section so long as said cord is undertension.
 4. A rod according to claim 3 wherein the said first portion ofsaid slot extends from said second portion toward said second endsection.
 5. A rod according to claim 4 wherein said connecting meansincludes a second like cam slot in said first end section, said camslots being displaced 180* from one another with respect to the axis ofsaid first end section, and further wherein a second cam is disposed insaid second cam slot.
 6. A rod according to claim 5 wherein said sleeveis tubular and has a diametrically extending pin affixed thereto, saidcams comprising portions of said pin.
 7. A rod according to claim 6wherein said cord is attached to said slide by way of said pin.
 8. Afolding ski pole comprising first and second end rod sections eachhaving a tubular end and at least one intermediate rod section havingtubular ends, said tubular ends being shaped so that said rod sectionsmay be assembled end-to-end in interfitting telescopic relation with oneanother, a handle with a strap affixed to said first end rod section atthe end opposite the tubular end thereof, said second end rod sectionterminating in a pointed head at the end opposite to the tubular endthereof and also having a basket affixed thereto, a flexible cord fortethering said rod sections, one end of said cord being anchored withinsaid second end rod section and extending lengthwise through said atleast one intermediate rod section, means carried by said first endsection and connected to the other end of said cord for taking up slackin said cord to draw all of said rod sections together in end-to-endassembled relation, said means comprising an operating member mountedexterior of and slidably surrounding said first end rod section, saidmember being slidable axially and circumferentially relative to saidfirst end rod section, means connecting the other end of said cord tosaid operating member, and means coupling said operating member and saidfirst end rod section for limiting movement of said operating memberbetween a first limit position in which said cord is slack and said rodsections are separable and foldable into a bundle and a second limitposition in which said cord is placed under tension sufficient to holdsaid rod sections in said end-to-end assembled relation.
 9. A foldingski pole according to claim 8 wherein said coupling means is adapted toreleasably lock said operating member in said second limit positionunder the influence of the tension of said cord.
 10. A folding ski poleaccording to claim 8 wherein said coupling means comprises a cam on saidoperating member and a cam track on said first end rod section, said camdisposed so as to ride along said track and said track shaped so as todetermine said first and second limit positions.
 11. A collapsible rodcomprising a plurality of tubUlar rod sections including first andsecond end rod sections, said first end section being provided with ahandle and said second end section terminating in a point, said tubularsections being assembled end to end with each section in telescopicinterfitting engagement with an adjacent section, a locking tubularslide surrounding said first end rod section, means connecting saidslide and said first end section for limiting axial movement of saidslide relative to said first end section between first and secondaxially spaced limit positions, said connecting means comprising a pinaffixed to and extending across the interior of said tubular slide andfirst and second slots in said first end section, said pin also beingdisposed in said first and second slots, a flexible cord for tetheringsaid sections, said cord extending along and within said tubularsections and having one end thereof connected to said second end sectionand the opposite end thereof connected to said slide, said slots beingdisplaced 180* from one another with respect to the axis of said firstend section, each of said slots having a first portion extendinggenerally lengthwise of said first end section and a second portionextending generally circumferentially of said first end section, saidsecond portions of said slots being disposed so as to determine saidfirst limit position and being shaped so as to oppose movement of saidpin and said slide relative to said first end section so long as saidcord is under tension, said first portions of said slots being disposedso as to determined said second limit portion, said slide being in saidfirst limit position and said cord being under tension so as to holdsaid sections in said end to end assembled relation, said second limitposition being spaced from said first limit position by an amount suchthat when said slide is moved to said second limit position said cordwill become slack enough to permit said sections to be disengaged fromone another and folded into a bundle.
 12. A rod according to claim 11wherein said cord is attached to said slide by way of said pin.